A/N: I know what you're thinking…real cheese doesn't come from a can! No? Ok, how about…'oh dear lord, not another chapter!' My apologies, if you like it then I'm completely surprised, the more I read this the more I hate it…I just don't know where exactly I was going with it, except of course for the completely and totally unnecessary smut scene towards the end…

x.X.x

The last two weeks were horrible, Yuffie came back every night tired and aching from all the work she'd done. Sometimes it was tracking a person from one place to another, others it was just a shit load of paper work. She was usually exhausted and sore when she arrived, taking longer and longer hot showers. Vincent wasn't normally one to worry, but he feared if she didn't find a way to rejuvenate her body soon she wouldn't make it in the crater.

She'd been working double time just to make all her deadlines for Reeve and give herself the time she would need for her expedition with Vincent. She was worn out, tired, sore, and once again at the gunman's door step. She twisted the knob, dragging her feet through the front door. She was surprised to see him standing in the archway leading to the kitchen, leaning there as if he'd been waiting all this time for her. Clothed in nothing more than a black pair of his favorite cargo pants, he turned and grabbed for something behind him only to turn around and hand her a cup of tea, no sugar, piping hot, and extra strong…She smiled weakly at him, accepting the proffered mug with a whispered 'thank you' before dragging herself to the couch. She sat hunched over, obviously aching from the several long weeks and longer days she'd been pushing herself through. And though Vincent would never utter the words in present company, he was rather surprised and quite impressed by the young woman's tenacity and will power. She wanted to go to the crater and instead of just up and leaving, as she would have in the past, she made arrangements with Reeve, was now finished with a good months worth of work, and had the time she was so desperate for off.

"Sweet Leviathan, I thought today wasn't going to end…" Yuffie mumbled from the couch. Not for the first time Vincent thanked his enhanced hearing and made a noise of assent.

"You've worked very hard these last few weeks." He replied in his usual monotone. She smiled at him, grateful he understood. "You should shower and get packed; we'll have to leave early tomorrow to get ahead of the weather." Yuffie nodded half heartedly; just the thought of a shower had her on cloud nine. She finished her tea and placed the cup in the sink. She brushed past him, whispering an apology as she did, pausing momentarily in the doorway they now occupied. She glanced up at him, he watched her with calm unblinking eyes. She was caught for a moment, focusing on his crimson eyes and pitch black hair falling around his face. Slowly a smile crept to the corners of his mouth before he backed out of her way and let her through the arch way.

For three weeks she'd lived with him, and though she'd had very little time to sleep, let alone wonder about the lone gunman, she'd felt him nearby all the time. It was a strange comfort for her, and yet she could think of few other people or places she'd want to be near. It hadn't been easy; she'd thought that maybe her feelings would temper slightly by spending more time with him, or at least she wouldn't get the fluttery sensation every time he touched her. It had been hell, not to put to fine a point on it, and every day Juno called about something new, or nothing at all. That had been the hardest part for Yuffie, he'd speak in that low voice so kindly to the woman on the other end and it ate her up a little more each time. She did a terrific job of masking her jealousy, though Vincent's odd behavior the last couple days had been odd and confusing.

He asked her daily if she was alright, made her tea, had forced her down on the couch more than once, not for any of the things Yuffie might have wanted him to force her down for, but a massage was a much needed and equally rare treat from the normally solitary and once cold hearted gunman. 'What a difference demons can make.' Yuffie thought idly as they stood by one another in the scant light of his dinning room. He wasn't by any stretch of the imagination friendly or outgoing, but he smiled around his true friends and laughed among them.

She drug her feet up to her room, grabbed a large towel on the way and made a bee line for the shower, leaving a trail of clothes as she went. Yuffie stood in the shower, relishing the feeling of hot water soothing her aching muscles, much like tiny fingers massaging her back. She thought of Vincent, the way he looked at her for the briefest moment. She figured it could've been all in her head; she was very tired after all and could have easily just made the whole moment up.

He was tragically beautiful, the blood red eyes, long flowing inky black hair, the scars from head to toe…he was incredible despite what he considered to be obvious 'flaws' in his body. She could still feel the other three demons buried somewhere within him. He had complete control over them now, with Chaos gone they no longer had free will, or really any will at all. They were simply different aspects of Vincent himself now.

She turned the water off, an image of Vincent shirtless in his cargo pants burning away anything else she may have had the potential to think about. Her head fell into the palm of her hand, hung low in frustration and sorrow. She couldn't not think of him, he was right there all the damn time, and she couldn't have him…he wanted nothing to do with intimacy. She wasn't his 'target audience' anyway. She was a ninja, a spy, the second in command to the most influential man on Gaia. She was incredible in her own right; just not the kind of incredible Vincent was attracted to.

'But that look, it can't be just a look, he might…maybe…feel something…' Yuffie stepped out of the steaming shower, wrapping her lithe frame in an oversized towel. Her body physically ached in his presence; she'd craved him for so long he'd become something of a drug to her.

She ran a hand through her hair in frustration, a knock on her door jar her from her tormented thoughts. She made a noise of surprise before blindly walking to the door and opening it. Crimson eyes shimmered back at her.

"Are you alright?" Vincent intoned, leaning casually against the door frame; he now wore a black tank top of sorts, which was doing little to hide the well sculpted muscles of his arms. His hair was pulled back, giving her a clear view of his face, and his pants hung low on his hips, distracting her momentarily.

"Fine, why? Did I do something?" She shook her head slightly, trying to clear her thoughts. She could smell him and it only served to fuel her proverbial fire. He watched her carefully; for once he looked generally concerned over her well being.

"You've been in here for over two hours…" He remarked as though it were nothing more than a simple irritant. She felt the familiar flutter just standing close to him, and suddenly she was acutely aware of her current state of undress, she felt a tremble run down her spine all the way to her feet, she looked away suddenly.

"I'm sorry, I was tired…guess I lost track of time." She grimaced as she made to rotate her shoulder. Without asking her permission, Vincent strode through the doorway, one hand on her bare shoulder as he led her through to his room. He paused by his bed, contemplating what to do next for a moment.

"Lie down on your stomach." He glanced around briefly before grabbing a pair of his boxers. "Put these on, please." He smirked at her raised eyebrow.

"And just what do you intend to do with me, Vincent?" She chuckled, pulling the garment on easily. They were huge on her, hanging off her narrow hips, but they were incredibly comfortable.

"If I were to do anything to you I do believe you'd be taking clothes off…not the other way around." Yuffie gasped slightly, a blush staining her cheeks.

"Wow, I see why you guys wear these now…" She whispered more to herself than anyone else. He smirked again as he disappeared momentarily into the bathroom, coming out with a small bottle some sort of cream.

"It is for muscle aches and pains…" He held the bottle in question up. The sharp scent of menthol caught her slightly off guard as she lay flat on her stomach on his bed. Her mind was spinning, trying to recall any time ever Vincent had willingly laid hands on anyone. She was drawing a blank, he was stand-offish and secluded, and he lived in his own private world, neither wanting nor needing anyone to share it with. Now on three separate occasions he'd done exactly this for her downstairs. For an hour or more he'd work the terrible knots out of her shoulders and back. She was about to ask what she'd done to deserve the 'star' treatment when his hands came down onto her back. She hardly had time to control the moan of delight as he applied just the right amount of pressure between her shoulder blades, instantly easing all the tension she'd had there.

Truthfully, Vincent wasn't all that comfortable touching the young woman. She was beautiful; he knew it wasn't her looks though. She was twenty three now, though he still appeared to be in his late twenties, he certainly felt like he was in his fifties, and age didn't truly matter…an heiress such as herself is usually married by fourteen, a ridiculous tradition he thought but who was he to argue with culture? He never felt guilty about touching her, she'd been through the same hell he had, she was no angel and he'd seen her for the killer and monster she could be…especially where he and the other members of Avalanche were concerned. She'd fight like an animal, pulling out every dirty trick she knew…but that had been a very, very rare occurrence. He closed his eyes a moment, pulling a memory of her fighting to the surface as his hands worked of their own accord, he was faintly aware of a low moan from her and a girlish giggle followed by a hasty apology, he smirked again glad she was at least relaxing a little.

"Sorry, that just feels amazing, Vince. I never knew you had it in you…" Her voice trailed off as he moved lower, easing knotted and gnarled muscles as he went. Each muscle he felt melt beneath his fingers reminded him of every fight she'd been in, whether it was with a DG soldier, a monster on the plains out near Rocket Town, or one of the many brawls she and Reno got into.

"Do not apologize, just relax I'm almost done…" She groaned in protest, earning a slight chuckle from him. "Ever heard the saying 'too much of a good thing'?"

"Whoever said that clearly never had the chance to feel you work your magic…" She sighed as he hit a rather sore spot, using the palm of his hand he leaned forward to put pressure on the area, she could feel his breath against her neck and shoulder. She suppressed the shudder it caused her; it was harder to ignore the fact that he was straddling her backside now though. He pressed just a fraction harder than before, earning a breathless moan from her. She felt her body reacting to him despite her desperate mental pleas that it just pretend that nothing happened. He faltered momentarily and she felt him tense against her, another moan was successfully held back this time, her restraint was wearing thin, though.

"…Vince…you…have to-"It was surreal, the feelings coursing through her. She'd been here three weeks and had been keeping careful tabs on the little exchanges going on between them and had somehow been surprised by what happened next.

She felt his palms caress the soft curve of her hips, his fingers trailing along the rim of his boxers she wore. She grits her teeth as the muscles of his legs reflexively tightened around her thighs and he lowered himself to her shoulders once more, his hot breath dancing across her naked skin. She wanted him to stop teasing her, surely he wasn't nearly as stupid as she was at this, and he had to know what he was doing. She was about to say something when he abruptly pushed down right at the small of her back, forcing the air from her lungs in a grunt, she cringed slightly at the sound of her bones cracking and popping under the sudden force. She felt light and her muscles no longer ached…now the dull throb had centered itself deep within her. She dug her nails into the comforter, biting her tongue to keep from growling in frustration. She felt him chuckle above her, his hands slowly making their way up again, stopping somewhere in the middle of her spine.

"Ready?" He put a little pressure on her to show what he intended to do. She took a deep breath, a strange sensation causing her to blink rapidly as she felt moisture building up behind her eyes.

"…yes." Her voice was slightly hoarse and hardly above a whisper, which caused him to suck in and tense up. She felt the pressure, felt her skin burn as he came a mere breath away from her again and slowly let out the breath she'd been holding. Again he thrust down on her back causing more cracking and popping and another pleased groan from the girl beneath him.

Vincent had to close his eyes, focus on what he was truly trying to do for a moment. He'd gotten a little carried away, though this wasn't technically 'new' territory for him. He wasn't accustomed to being the pursuer. Juno had been the first woman in sixty years to even come close to reminding him that he was a man, a viral, young, and in his dark and dreary sort of way very attractive, man. Yuffie groaning beneath him aroused all sorts of things that, oddly enough, Juno couldn't. Their relationship had been put on hold when the little ninja had shown up, Vincent felt awkward being involved with anyone when Yuffie was around, as if he'd been betraying her all this time.

"Do you have any water?" He leaned over and handed her a cup of water he'd brought for himself. "Thank you…by the way, this feels incredible." Yuffie sighed as he set a slow and steady pace at her back, fingers digging into sore muscles and relieving years of built up stress and tension. He leaned sideways, steadying himself by flexing his other leg and gripping her again, this time she buried her face in comforter between her white clenched fists. Vincent felt his heart jump suddenly, adrenaline pumping through him as he slowly settled back against her, radio remote in hand. He turned on whatever Juno had last set the radio at, an oddly appropriate melody floating through. "Oh, I love this song…funny how it seems to suit my pathetic-"He let his finger dig into her tender flesh as he drug them less than gently against her ribs, mostly to avoid accidentally tickling her, and in a way to stop her from saying their situation was pathetic.

It's like you're a drug
It's like you're a demon I can't face down
It's like I'm stuck
It's like I'm running from you all the time
And I know I let you have all the power
It's like the only company I seek is misery all around
It's like you're a leech
Sucking the life from me
It's like I can't breathe
Without you inside of me
And I know I let you have all the power
And I realize I'm never gonna quit you over time

She gasped as he let his fingers trail along her sides, right up to the sensitive skin of her breasts. She fought the urge to cry out in frustration as he set a slow and steady pace along her back down to her scantily clad back side. She couldn't think of a time she'd been more ready for a cold shower in her life. He shifted against her, flexing his thighs which caused her to move against him, thus drawing a ragged gasp from the young woman's throat.


It's like I can't breathe
It's like I can't see anything
Nothing but you
I'm addicted to you
It's like I can't think
Without you interrupting me
In my thoughts
In my dreams
You've taken over me
It's like I'm not me
It's like I'm not me

Vincent closed his eyes, forcing every image and memory of Juno to the forefront of his mind. Her soft auburn hair flowing around her shoulders, the way her smile melted his icy heart a little more every time he saw it. Her electric blue eyes that held him in a trance from the first time he saw her… and the feeling of her lips against his skin, how perfect she fit against him…anything to force away his smoldering desire to take every inch of the woman beneath him and claim her as his own…


It's like I'm lost
It's like I'm giving up slowly
It's like you're a ghost that's haunting me
Leave me alone
And I know these voices in my head
Are mine alone
And I know I'll never change my ways
If I don't give you up now

Vincent continued to rub, his hands trailing down to her backside. As his finger tips reached the hem of the boxers he could almost hear the sound of her restraints breaking. Yuffie let out something akin to a growl as she ground her hips in time against his as he made to move forward. Instantly he gripped her hips, shoving her with a bit more force than he intended against the mattress…


It's like I can't breathe
It's like I can't see anything
Nothing but you
I'm addicted to you
It's like I can't think
Without you interrupting me
In my thoughts
In my dreams
You've taken over me
It's like I'm not me
It's like I'm not me

Vincent let out a feral growl, and for the briefest of moments Yuffie felt pure dread settle in the pit of her stomach. She figured she'd fucked up big this time. However, no sooner had she had the thought than she felt his lips and teeth against her shoulders and neck. She let out a startled cry, which caused him to bite down with near bruising intensity. She felt her body melt into him, her hips grinding roughly against his, his name spilling in a breathy growl from her lips.


I'm hooked on you
I need a fix
I can't take it
Just one more hit
I promise I can deal with it
I'll handle it, quit it
Just one more time
Then that's it
Just a little bit more to get me through this
I'm hooked on you
I need a fix
I can't take it
Just one more hit
I promise I can deal with it
I'll handle it, quit it
Just one more time
Then that's it
Just a little bit more to get me through this

He knew, beyond a doubt, there was a reason he'd never made love to Juno. That reason was writhing beneath every little touch and bite, fueling all sorts of fires from the gunman's dark side. He closed his eyes in shame as the last image of Juno faded and was replaced by a single minded goal…


It's like I can't breathe
It's like I can't see anything
Nothing but you
I'm addicted to you
It's like I can't think
Without you interrupting me
In my thoughts
In my dreams
You've taken over me
It's like I'm not me
It's like I'm not me

Vincent ground his hips into her backside roughly, earning a pained moan from the girl. She was all but whimpering as he kissed and nipped down her back. She had a white knuckle grip on the blankets, fighting for some sort of control over her body.

Vincent gave a startled grunt as he felt his entire world shift suddenly and he was flat on his back with a thoroughly aroused young woman straddling him. She slid between his legs, kissing her way down his chest and stomach, grinning to herself at each gasp and groan she'd earned. She nearly ripped his pants in her haste as she drug them down his hips and legs.

Vincent had forgotten what it felt like to fulfill desires of the flesh, he saw nothing but white momentarily as Yuffie delicately took his member into her hot mouth. He nearly lost it right there, as she moaned against him. Instead he grit his teeth and growled her name out like some sort of predator. She moved along his length, dragging her tongue along his sensitive skin and nearly letting him go before diving down again and again…

"Gods…Yu…ffie…" Vincent gasped spasmodically as she let her teeth scrape against him. He fought for control, feeling his release building all too quickly under her expertly executed ministrations. She released him long enough to fix him with a seductive stare and slight grin.

"Just let go…Vincent." and before another word could be said one way or the other she was back at it. Within seconds he felt the tension build, his body reacting quickly to hers, and then he let out a veritable roar that sounded suspiciously like her name.

Yuffie licked her lips and turned her eyes up toward him, feeling the air leave her lungs and her core throb in earnest as Vincent's hand shot out faster than even she could track, burying itself in her hair at the base of her neck. He nearly ripped her off the ground as he came down and crushed his lips against hers, devouring her from the mouth down. She felt the cold shock of wall against her back and cried out; raking her nails along his side enough to draw thin rivulets of blood. He bit and kissed her lips, down her neck and to the aching swell of her breasts. He lifted her higher against the wall, taking a moment to admire her form.

He whispered praises of beauty and amazement, over and over as he carefully kissed his way around each precious mound, arriving after several long agonizing moments at the hyper sensitive peaks. He carefully only allowed his tongue to trace around one nipple, causing her to groan in pure ecstasy and fury, writhing in his grip with her slender hands fisted in his inky black hair. She felt the tension in the pit of her stomach building in a way she hadn't known possible from such a simple act…

She clenched her legs around him, panting as he moved the other, neglected nipple.

"Gods, Vincent I…gods I can't stop…" her voice broke off into a shallow cry as he continued. His crimson eyes locked onto her silver, a malevolent grin spread across his features. He withdrew his mouth, earning a rather loud moan of protest, only to return and wrap his mouth around one perfectly erect nipple while one hand occupied the other. The throbbing between her legs was unbearable; every touch of his tongue on her skin sent another ache spiraling out of control. He withdrew again, crushing her in a fierce kiss and breaking off once again to finish what he started. He bit down, just hard enough, on one sensitive peak and ripped a cry from him that nearly sent him over the edge. He could smell her; feel the sudden shock of heat between her legs as she moaned his name in her release.

That had never happened before, though it seemed fitting that the only one she ever wanted could bring her to orgasm using only his mouth and never coming near her core. As she rode the wave down she shoved them off the wall and sent their bodies falling hard into the floor. She rolled to straddle him, this time she did tear his clothes, as she ripped the tank top he had on off. With a rough tug the boxers elastic band gave way and left one very exposed ninja astride one incredibly aroused gunman. He sat up abruptly, pulling her in and kissing her until she was gasping for air.

He whispered her name, kissing along her cheek and neck, mumbling sweet nothings as he went. Her mind reeled, he was kissing her, touching her, and Leviathan be damned if he wasn't about to do more.

"Vi-Vincent…what?" He kissed her soundly, resting his forehead against hers as he collected his wits.

"I apologize, Yuffie…I had only intended-"He rubbed her arms gently, a part of him burning from the inside out at the sight of her naked and straddling him, it was all he could do not to take her then and there. The radio played another nameless song, gentle guitar and soft voices echoing through the speakers.

She said nothing; instead she wrapped a hand in the hair at the base of his neck and pulled him up to kiss her again. Finally finding her voice she nipped at his ear, earning a slight appreciative groan from the man. "What about Juno? She's your woman, isn't she?" Yuffie could hardly breath knowing what they were doing was wrong on so many levels, and yet it felt too good to pass up.

"It was little more than dinner on the rare occasion I had time available to her." Vincent noted that he didn't feel as badly about the situation as he thought he may have been expected to. He was relieved more than anything. "…I can't…I cannot touch her, not the way..." The rich timbre of his voice sent a new jolt of pleasure through her body. Unable to say what he meant he simply leaned closer and with a tenderness that nearly brought her to tears kissed her.

Yuffie chose to stick with just looking as shocked as she felt, she didn't want to say anything in the off chance it'd scare him away. He watched her a moment, her eyes adjusted to his face, clearly studying him, then trailed across his abused body and stopped to marvel at the scars. Absently she brought her hand up to the massive scar in the center of his chest, where the protomateria had been. He could see the wonder clearly reflected in her gaze as she admired the taught flesh of his skin, which brought a small smile to his face. He'd accepted himself long ago, she marveled at him as though he were her greatest treasure. Then she took his breath away again, she leaned forward, kissing a trail along his chest, up along his neck, and against his ear, sighing as his hands tightened around her hips.

"You are so…" She kissed another scar, her fingertips trailing along his abdomen and leaving him near breathless as she continued her ministrations. "…beautiful."

"Yuffie…" There weren't words to describe the frustration he felt as the all too familiar tone of his phone echoed intrusively through the house. "Fuck…" he growled out, glancing up apologetically at a rather amused Yuffie.

"We should be careful, ne?" She always seemed to revert back to some of her native tongue in situations like these, well maybe not these exact situations…but something simular. After all, this was the first time this situation came up…not that he minded it. Five years ago he would have thrown himself off the Sherra at the thought of being intimate with her, she was not as refined then as she was now. He noted the way she slid down the length of his body, earning a groan from him as she only succeeded in rubbing against him further. He forced himself to clothe himself and make his way to his phone. He answered without checking the number first, his thoughts directed elsewhere at the moment.

"Yes?" He nearly growled out.

"Vince? You alright?" Juno sounded surprised to hear him snap at her. "Am I interrupting, I can just call back later." She rushed out, feeling rather put out that he was being so short with her.

"I apologize, Juno. I was a bit…distracted." He didn't lie; he simply omitted any information that wasn't pertinent to her.

"It's ok, maybe I just call you too much." She laughed lightly, Vincent couldn't help but smile. Her laugh was like bells, sweet and happy. She was married to her work and she often called as soon as an idea or breakthrough hit her.

"We're ready, actually ready for the sample now. You do have time, not as much as I think you wanted, but four days should be enough time. When can you leave?" Vincent frowned knowing Yuffie would be slightly upset she could've had more time there than she'd thought.

"We were planning on heading out at first light." He didn't expand on it, or make small talk with her. She felt a bit odd, but passed it off as Vincent be Vincent.

"Ok, well be safe, I'll see you when you return." She hung up without saying goodbye. That was pretty common for her, Juno didn't believe in goodbyes and as such never said them.

Yuffie was leaning against the railing of the stairs watching Vincent. She felt a pang of guilt and sadness. She'd hurt that woman and without even thinking about it, Vincent too. Although he was admittedly harder to inflict any amount of pain on than regular people, then again, he was sensitive to certain things…like sex and love. She shook her head and waited for him to come back up the stairs. He watched her with his crimson eyes as he made his way to her. He slipped his now gauntlet free hand across her back, leaning down he kissed her with a hint of the fire he still clearly felt.

"What do you want, right now?" Yuffie returned the kiss, catching his lip softly between her teeth.

"You…" With that she found her feet didn't touch the floor, his bed was incredibly comfortable, and sleep seemed to be a luxury she'd never afford.

A/N: I generally limit myself to one of 'those' scenes a chapter, and usually not back to back chapters…I'm not very good at them. But…we'll see what happens next. Review/Flame/ignore…Hey, check out Dust Traveller also, he's an amazing writer!! Get going, read Shards of Chaos and Why Me?

By the way, I own nothing, except Juno's name…well actually not even technically that. I named her Juno because I was listening to Juno Reactor at the time this story came about. Juno Reactor…Mako scientist, you know I'm way to easily influenced by music.

Song up there is Addicted by Kelly Clarkson.